Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 1215
1864. Bronze, with "L" and
1865. Both grade About Uncirculated 50. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $175-225.
Lot 1216
1865. Pattern Cent. Copper
nickel, plain edge. J-404, P-473, Rarity-6. PCGS graded Proof 64.
Struck on a planchet with the similar alloy used in cents from 1856-1864,
and struck in both thick and thin planchets. Why these were coined is a
mystery, the Mint had already converted over to the new French bronze alloy (95
percent copper and 5 percent tin), much to the chagrin of the nickel miners, in
late 1864. Mint Director Pollock had calculated that it cost more than a cent
to coin a cent, using the expensive nickel alloy by 1864. Furthermore, nickel
was hard to melt and when used in planchets, even as an alloy, it was extremely
hard, and required high striking pressure for coinage. High striking pressure
wears and breaks dies far more quickly than lower pressure striking. The nickel
mine owners still won out in the end, but getting authorization to coin nickel
three cent pieces, and five cent pieces, which would be used to replace the
then hated fractional notes in circulation. Perhaps this pattern issue was
created in hopes of selling a little more nickel to the Mint.
Excellent
surfaces and with a bit of color on Liberty. Well preserved and free of spots
or other problems which often detract.
Estimated Value $2,250-2,750.
Purchased from Ira S. Reed, 4/27/45 for $7.50.
Lot 1217
1865. MS-65 Red.
The surfaces are simply splendid, but, there is an unfortunate spot on the
rim between the D S of UNITED STATES. Here is another case where a tiny speck
adhered to a coin and slowly caused a small spot to appear. The blazing red
surfaces are highly prone to spotting, and similar coins are frequently found
in old time collections. Well struck and still a highly desirable coin.
Estimated Value $150-200.
From the Howard R. Newcomb collection of
Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1218
1865. PCGS graded
MS-63 Red and Brown. Mostly red, but a few small spots are forming.
Estimated Value $75-100.
Lot 1219
1866. Pattern Cent. Copper
nickel, plain edge. J-456, P-530, High Rarity-6. PCGS graded Proof 65.
Here is another example of a copper-nickel planchet made a couple of years
after the French Bronze alloy had been adopted. This one is very boldly struck,
and has a natural haze covering both sides. We note slight doubling on some of
the reverse devices, likely from being struck at least twice, necessary when
using the hard nickel alloy with copper. This is the finest graded of only 8
seen by PCGS. An impressive example of this pattern issue.
Estimated Value
$2,250-2,750.
Purchased from Ira S. Reed, 4/27/45.
Lot 1220
1866. Pattern Indian Cent.
Copper nickel, plain edge. J-456, P-530, Rarity-6 to 7. PCGS graded
Proof 63. A choice proof that has some minor marks on the obverse, one
across the Indian's face, and a series of small scratches around the F of OF.
Why the Mint went back to copper-nickel planchets is a mystery. After years of
working with nickel alloyed planchets most mint employees had found the metal
to be extremely hard to strike, and very hard on dies, causing them to crack
and break after a short time. But here it is, probably struck for the nickel
mine owners who were forever trying to keep nickel as an important coinage
metal.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 1221
1866. MS-65 Red.
A blazing red example that has just a hint of toning starting to form on
the surfaces. Boldly struck from very worn dies, with the reeding quite flat on
the obverse rims. A scarce date as the mints settled back into more normal
times, now that the Civil War was finally over. An impressive and enticing
example of this date, free of spots or problems.
Estimated Value $150-200.
From the Howard R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June
30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1222
1866. MS-64 Red.
Lovely red luster on both sides with hints of brown toning starting to
form, especially on the reverse. Well struck and a pleasing coin for the grade.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,650.
Lot 1223
1866. EF-40.
Cleaned and retoned to a light brown. A scarce date.
Estimated Value
$100-150.
Lot 1224
1866 with the final 6
repunched high. VF-30. Medium brown and very original. There is a
very minor scratch through the last digit of the date. Scarce.
Estimated
Value $75-100.
Lot 1225
1867. PCGS graded
MS-64 Red and Brown. An exceptional coin for the grade, the surfaces are
enhanced by bright original mint red with some yellow hints on the reverse. One
tiny toning area between the lowest feathers. Sharply struck and very pleasing
for the moderate grade assigned.
We note some minor die marks on Liberty's
face, these may polishing lines, or perhaps the coin was overstruck. A strong
glass in needed to see them, whatever they are.
Estimated Value $425-500.
From the Howard R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June
30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1226
1867. PCGS graded
MS-64 Brown. Deep brown color throughout, with a single spot on Liberty's
cheek, and another before her face. Nicely struck with full devices, and a
little die crack through the lower date.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 1227
1867 and 1868.
EF-40 (Both). A pair of high grade Indians. Both have been cleaned
to a light brown. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1228
1868. PCGS graded
MS-64 Red. Flaming bright red on both sides and well struck. Excellent
surfaces throughout and well struck for this rare date.
Estimated Value
$600-700.
Lot 1229
1868. PCGS graded
MS-64 Red and Brown. A bright and fresh example that will certainly please
any collector seeking this date. Fully struck by the dies, and retaining
virtually all of the original mint red. Awash in luster and with only the
slightest hint of an ancient fingerprint on either side.
Estimated Value
$400-500.
From the Howard R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents,
purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1230
1868. PCGS graded
Proof 64 Red and Brown. Hazy toning on both sides, with a single small dark
spot in the left obverse field. Struck with a rotated reverse die, about 170
degrees clockwise. Mostly red, with some iridescent toning on the reverse.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 1231
1869 over 9. EF-45.
The obverse is a medium chocolate brown in color, the reverse similar, but
there is some minor verdigris adhering to the devices. In addition, there are
some dull scrapes on the reverse, mostly on the high devices. Inspection
recommended, as the coin should stand on its own merits.
Estimated Value
$200-250.
Lot 1232
1869. NGC graded
MS-65 Red. This one includes an Eagle Eye Photo Seal which further
certifies the grade by some of the leading experts in the Indian Cent field.
Superb surfaces that show a slight hint of toning over mint red. Central
iridescence on the reverse. An opportunity for the numismatist.
Estimated
Value $2,000-3,000.
Lot 1233
1869. PCGS graded
MS-65 Red. A stunning coin that boasts full blazing mint red and no signs
of toning or problems of any sort. The date is recut very low, with an
additional serif on the 1 well below the final 1, the 8 and 6 also show
recutting below the final figures. This is an early die state, and
exceptionally high grade coin, allowing for the recutting to show quite well
with a moderate glass. Boldly struck throughout, with abundant eye appeal and
no-nonsense gem surfaces. There is a tiny mark above the wreath on the right
side, near the shield. One of just 20 graded this high by PCGS, with a scant 6
graded higher.
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.
From the Howard R.
Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G.
Macallister.
Lot 1234
1869. NGC graded
MS-65 Red and Brown. This one boasts mint color which has partially faded
to brown. Well struck and preserved, keeping this coin in the gem class of NGC.
Estimated Value $800-900.
Lot 1235
1869. EF-45.
Cleaned long ago and now retoning to a light brown. Another scarce date in
high grade.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 1236
1870. PCGS graded
MS-64 Red. Blazing original red throughout, with just a touch of fading on
the upper devices. Well struck and centered, with just a few trivial handling
marks on the obverse from a much higher grade. An impressive coin that will no
doubt find many buyers, whenever its offered.
Estimated Value $500-650.
From the Howard R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June
30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1237
1870. PCGS graded
MS-63 Brown. A lovely coin for the grade, struck from broken dies with
sharp cracks on both sides. Hints of original color in the fields, but mostly
toned over. Another scarce date for the collector.
Estimated Value
$300-375.
Lot 1238
1870. AU-50.
Speckled toning over still reddish fields. A nice and appealing coin for
the date collector.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1239
1871. PCGS graded
MS-65 Red and Brown. A beautiful, well struck coin that boasts nearly full
original mint red with just a bit of rose toning. Examination will note very
few signs of contact, and only the lightest specks of toning. An opportunity to
buy a very nice coin for the moderate grade assigned. One of the scarcer dates
in this grade, with only 15 graded as such (also there are 11 graded MS-65 Red)
and just a single coin graded MS-66 (all categories). Don't expect to find a
better one, they probably don't exist.
Estimated Value $1,750-2,250.
From the Howard R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June
30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1240
1871. NGC graded
MS-65 Brown. Weak on the upper diamond on the ribbon, but with satiny
luster and reflective surfaces near the rims. Take a look at this one.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
Lot 1241
1871. MS-64 Red.
Faded mint red on both sides with a few trivial specks. Scarce in this
grade, and this one is well struck.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 1242
1871. PCGS graded
AU-55. Choice medium brown toning and superb for the grade assigned. Just a
bit of wear on the highest points.
Estimated Value $300-350.
Lot 1243
1871 and 1872.
EF-45 (Both). Both have been cleaned and retoned slightly. The 1872
has mottled toning on the reverse. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value
$350-450.